The Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1954 (II of 1955)

Abstract

The Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1954 (Act II of 1955) provides a comprehensive legal framework for the administration, assessment, and collection of land revenue in the State. The Code establishes the Board of Revenue, defines the powers, appointments, and administrative functions of revenue officers, and prescribes procedures for revenue courts, appeals, revisions, and reviews. It governs land assessment and reassessment in both rural and urban areas, ensuring proper demarcation, record-keeping, and settlement of land revenue. The Code regulates tenure-holders, government lessees, and tenants, detailing their rights, obligations, devolution, transfer, relinquishment, and improvements on land. It also addresses alluvion and diluvion, consolidation of holdings, and the management of village officers such as patels, patwaris, and kotwars. Provisions are included for urban land administration, land records maintenance, boundaries and survey marks, rights in abadi (habitation) and unoccupied lands, and revenue recovery mechanisms. The Code further empowers the State to regulate land use, minerals, and natural resources, and to enforce compliance through penalties. With its detailed rules on land management, assessment, and local governance, the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code serves as a foundational legal instrument to ensure equitable land administration, secure revenue collection, and protect the rights of various landholders across rural and urban areas.